Deputies seek VA man they say fatally shot cousin in Easley

Officials with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a fatal shooting in Easley from over the weekend.

Deputies said they responded to the 200 block of Courtney Drive Saturday night. It happened just before 9 p.m. and was reported by a homeowner who said an guest form out of town had been shot one time by another guest that was seated on a couch in the home’s den area.

Deputies said initial reports indicated the shooting was an accident.

The victim was identified by the Sheriff’s Office as 37-year-old Christy Parsons. Parsons was transported to the hospital with a wound to the upper torso, and was pronounced dead there a short time after the shooting.

Deputies said four other adults aside from the victim were in the residence during the shooting, and detectives were able to interview two of those witnesses.

The other two witnesses fled the scene in a vehicle before deputies arrived at the residence. Deputies were able to establish that it was one of these two witnesses that fired the fatal shot at the victim.

Detectives have conducted additional interviews and have been working with Virginia authorities, said deputies.

As a result of the investigation, the sheriff’s office said detectives confirmed that a single gunshot was fired from a handgun as the shooter was seated on or at least near a couch in the den area of the residence. Deputies said the handgun didn’t belong to the homeowner.

Deputies identified the shooter as 32-year-old Joshua Ray Wilder of Jonesville, VA – he’s believed to be back in the state of Virginia at this time. Wilder is now wanted by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office for involuntary manslaughter.

Wilder is described as a male, 5’10” and approximately 185 lbs, with multiple tattoos on his body. Authorities do not believe he is in the state of South Carolina.

Deputies said the victim is also from the Virginia area and is believed to be a cousin of Wilder.